Mower



Sept. 7, 1943. s. w. HAYES MOWER 4 sheets-sheet 1 Fi'led Dec. 16, 1940 QNX NNN M+ WN www @W QIW...

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's. w. HAYES MOWER Filed Dec. 16, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sept. 7, 1943.s s. w. .HAYES MowER Filed Dec. 16, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 zodezo Zar.'

`195' Mzzl?? Zdfaggres WM Mfw S. W. HAYES MOWER Filed DSO. 16, 1940 I 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Sept. 7, 1943.

means, the view being taken Patented Sept. 7, 1943 f Vmuren STATES par in# Fries i MowEn4 stanley w. Hayes, Richmond, Ina., assigner to Hayes Track 'Appliance Company, Richmond,

Ind., a corporation of Indiana n Application December 16, 1940,' Serial No. 370,238

is-olairls. (o1. en -26.5)

" Another object of `this invention is the provision of a new and improved power operated mow- ;er provided with two manually controlled clutches through which power may be transmitted to the mower propelling means and to the cutting means. l

Another object ofthe present invention resides inthe construction and, arrangement of parts` through which the propelling and cutting `means ofthe mower are driven. 4

Other objects and advantages ofthe present invention will become apparent from the ensuingV description, in the course of which. reference isLhad to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is atop plan view of a mowerconstructed :in accordance with the `present invention.

The motor for propelling the mower and cutting means has been omitted from this figure in order better toillustrate` other details of construction;

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the mower with motor attached;

'3 is a side elevational view of the mower; Fig. 4 is a side elevational View of the mower frame; Fig. 5 is an enlarged axial cross-sectional View through the propelling and cutter actuating along the line 5-5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary axial cross-sectional view taken along the line 6-6' of Fig. 5, illustrating further vdetails of the clutch associated with the cutting means and v Fig. '7 is a transverse cross-sectional View taken along the line l-'I of Fig. 5, illustrating details of construction of the pitman utilized in driving lthe cuttingmeans.

Referring rst to Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, it may be seen thatthe mower comprises a frame, indi-'- cated generallyby referencecharacter l0, supand front wheels Id and I 6, respectively. ,The wheels .I4 are driven through a differential trans- 4,mission I8 (see Figs. l and 5) which maybe Vof `the type used in model T Fords or of any suitable A The wheels I4 are spaced apart alesser. distance than the wheels I6 in order that the type.

mower may be` manipulated more readily and madegto*turniabout a smaller radius. Both' -wheelsare preferably provided with pneumatic tires as indicated. l

The mower comprises cuttingmeans, such as the sickle cutter` indicated generally by,reference character Lil, and comprising xed cutter bars22 and horizontally reciprocable knives 24 reciprocated by an oscillatablepitman 25.V i j .'Tlie mower isadapted to be guided by a han-` dle 26 comprising la pair `of spaced apart Vinclined tubular members `,2d Ysuitably secured to the rear end of the frame vand a tubular crosspiece 3b. A motor throttle controller `32misattached Cto one ofthe members 2,3, while two clutch controllers 3d and 3S', utilized-for controlling the connection of `the motor tothe propelling means and to the cutter operating means, and to which further reference will be had shortly, are'` rotatably mountedonthe crosspiece 3i).

A sulky` in which` the operator can ride .(not shown) may be attached tothe mower frame by means of` a hitch 3S, or, if desired, the mower may be guided by an operator walking behind it.

Referringnow more particularly to Figs. l

and 4, it may Vbeseenthatl the frame comprises a pair of longitudinally disposed iramemembers 40. andllZ of angle iron. The rear ends of these members areconnected by an angleiron crosspiece ,ll-ll, to which the hitch 38 is secured. Angle iron crosspieces i6 and 4&3v interconnecting the iramemembers lill, and t2 are.v utilized to support the motor l2. `The front ends of `frame rmembers #lil and i2 kare interconnected by a crosspiece Sli, the generally.r .diamond-shaped contour of which is best illustrated inFig. 2, and which is also utilized to support the front ends of the main l'driven shaft 52 hereinafter referred to as the propulsion shaft) and ofj'the pitman supporting shaft, as best illustrated in Fig. 5. The rear end ofthe propulsion shaft is supported by a crosspiece F16' located approximately at the longitudinal centerof the frame, andthe rear end oi the pitmanshait 511 is supported by a ciosspiece 53 locateda short distance behind thefront crosspie'ce 5U. Both of these crosspieces are secured as by welding to the frame members llt and Il2, as are the otherA crossnaar ,z N L f The frontlwheelsV I5 are secured to the frame by means of an angle iron support `Eilsu'spended below frame members all Aaniltzby a pair 'of downwardly'extending angle iron supports`62.

` Additional rigidity is givento the wheel support by a crosspiece Sil Vsupported.below the frame members Il@ and 42, by'vertic'ally disposed angle Yiron supports Ei and '.connectedjtosupport `6 by angularly disposed angleir'on braces 53 (see Figsjl and 4) The sickle'Z `is supported below theV frontend oftliev'frame bysupporting struc- .ture comprising a tubular post 10 terminating in a flange .'iZthat is bolted'tina `plate l,4' mounting the sickle 26. The post is attached to the wheel support 60 by a pair of brackets 16 welded to the post and support, respectively.

The rear wheels and transmission are xedly located with respect to the frame by downwardly extending plates 80, each having a substantially U-shaped slot 82 at its lower edge to receive the top of the transmission housing, and a horizon.

tally disposed plate 84 welded on the inner side thereof above the slot. The transmission housing is attached tothe frame by suitable clamping means, such as the bolts and plate indicated by reference character 86 iny Fig. 2, cooperatively associated with the plates 84. Further support is given to the transmissionv by the hanger indicated by reference character 88 in Fig. 3, securand92 may be readily adjusted.

' The motor l2 is directly connected to propulsion shaft 52 through a chain drive comprising a sprocket secured to the motor shaft, 'a chain |02, and a sprocket |04 secured to shaft 52 adjacent its rear end. l l

The propulsion shaft is journaled for rotation in ball bearings |06 and |08 secured to crosspieces 56 and 50, respectively. Bearing |06v is mounted in a housing dened by-a plate I0 and a tubular member H2 welded thereto. Plate H0 is secured to crosspiece 56 by suitable means such as the bolts shown in Fig. 1. The inner bearing race is secured to the rear end of the shaft as by a washer and bolt H3 and the housing is comi pleted by a cover plate ||4 held in place by a plurality of clips H5. Bearing |08 is similarly mounted in a housing defined by'plate I I6, tubuf lar member H8, andV cover plate |20. Its inner race is secured to the front end of the shaft by a washer and bolt |22. Plate ||6 is secured to crosspiece 50, preferably by a plurality of bolts as best illustrated in Fig. 2.

In order that shaft 52 may be readily assembled on the frame, the crosspieces 50 and 56 are provided with substantially U-shaped slotsy |24 centrallyof their upper edges so that the shaft may beinserted therein.

The pitman shaft 54 is similarly mounted in spaced apart bearings |26 and |28 which are mounted in housings |30 and |32 corresponding in construction to those used in conjunction with the propulsion shaft. The previouslyreferred to plate H6 is also used to support housing |32 on crosspiece 50, while another plate |34, similar to plate H0, is used to support housing |30 on crosspiece 58. The lower edges of crosspieces 50 and 58 are also provided with slots |24 in order that shaft 54 may readily be assembled on the frame.

The propulsion shaft is adapted to drive the rear wheelsV |4 through a clutch, indicatedv generally by reference character |40, and to drive twin disc Vtype made by the Twin Discfllutchl Company. The particular construction of `the clutches does not form any part of this invention, as long as they arecarried by the propulsion shaft, and other'types may be used.

Since the clutches are of identical construction,

like reference characters will be used to indicate like parts of each. Each clutch comprises a hub portion |44 keyed to the propulsion shaft, a driven plate |46 having slight movement axially of the Shaft `in orderto insurefree release of the `platewhen the Vclutch is disengaged, and a member |48 movable axially to effect engagement and disengagement of the clutch. Member |48 is actuated through a pair 'of diametrically opposed r toggle ymechanisms |50, actuated in turn by a handle portion 28 and crankarm |54is secured directly to the end 'of rockshaft |56. The latter is rotatably mounted in bearings |66 mounted above frame members40 and 42 by tubular supports |68.

Clutch |42 is manually controlled by theA previously referred to lever 36'also rotatably secured to handle 26. This lever is connected to rockshaft |56 by a rod |10, cranky |12, rod |14 and crank arm |16. Crank`|12 is pivotally secured to the other handle portion 26 and crank arm |16 is secured directly to vtheend of lrockshaft |56. The latter is rotatably mounted in bear'- ings |66 just as the rockshaft |56 associated with v clutch |40.

The rear wheels |4 of the mower are'operf atively connected to clutch |40 by a chain |80 in.- terconnecting a sprocket |82 attached to the driven plate |46 of the clutch and asprocket '|84 secured to the drive shaft |86 leading to the transmission I8, as best Iillustrated in Fig, 5,. Thus, when the motor is in operation and the vclutch engaged, the propulsion shaft is effective to drive the mower through the clutch and driving connection just described.

The sickle operating pitman 25 is. operatively connected to 'clutch |42 through a cam |88, a counter-weight |90, and a tubular'member |92 welded at opposite ends to the counter-weight and the driven plate |46.of the. clutch,'a,s best illustrated in Fig. 5. v The cam |88 oscillates the pitman 25 by reason lof its location between the bifurcated ends |94 of the latter, asbest illustrated inFig. '1. Cam |88 and counter-weiglht |90 are of identical construction. and so'located that their centers of gravity are on diametlfcally opposite sides of shaft l52. They cam and counter` weight and tubularmember |92 are provided with bearing bushings |96 and |98, respectively. When the Clutch I4? is engaged, the: propulsion shaft rotatesv cam. |86 and the latter imparts an os cillatory movement to. the pitman 25, and the latter in turn imparts reciprocating movement to the cutter blade 24 of thesickle 20. v

In order to prevent weeds or heavy'grassfrom interfering with the operation of.y the'cutter, the latterhas cooperatively associated` with it a pair of tedders, indicatedgenerallyy by reference characters 200. The construction and arrangement of the teddersis disclosed-and claimed' in mycofiled December 18, 1941,. lEach of the tedders comprises `a horizontally" disposed bar 202 movable toward and away vfrom as wellas rearwardly across the top ofthe sickle by a slightly resilient metallic actuating arm 204 to which movement is imparted by crank arms 206 formed at the opposite ends of a crankshaft 208 rotated slowly from one of the rear Wheels I4 by a belt 2|0 and suitabletpulleys. The crankshaft is-mounted above the frame in bearings 2l2 secured above frame members 40 and 42. The actuating arms 204, which extend generally upwardly and then rearwardly from the tedder bars 202, are operatively secured to the crank arms 206 by means of short straps encircling the latter. The rear ends of actuating members204 are movably mounted in U-shaped straps 2i 4 secured to and extending laterally from frame members 40 and 42. The mower of the present 'invention is, as

evidenced by the foregoing detailed description i.

thereof, adapted simply and economically to be fabricated from parts cut, for the'most'part, from plate, tubular, or angle iron structural elements'. The construction is rugged and will Vwithstand heavy use by reasonof its simplified construction.

The useof two clutches associated with a single propulsion shaft driven directly by the motor enables the mower to be built as a compact unit and also gives the operator control over both the ed on the handle 26. When it is desired to have Y the mower move forward, it is necessary only to operate clutch controller 34 to` effect engagement of clutch |40. Engagement of this clutch,` as heretofore described in detail, operatively` connects the motor to the rear wheels so that the mower is propelled forward. When it is desired to place the cutter in operation, it is necessary only to effect engagement of clutch I42 by operation of clutch'controller 36.'

vThe tedders 200 are operated whenever the motor moves by reason of their actuation from the `rear wheels through the belt 2H); The tedders are effective to prevent clogging of the cutter by heavy grass or weeds and the like, and it has been found in practice that their `use enables heavy, wet grass', like blue grass, to be cut with ease. l

Although the invention has been disclosed in connection with the specific details of a preferred embodiment thereof, it should be understood that such details are not intended to be limitative of the invention, except in so far as set forth in the accompanying claims.

.,I-Iaving thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the UnitedStates is: 1. In a motor operated mower, the combina- 2. In a motor operatedimower of the type having, areciprocable sickle cutter, the combination including, a fra-me, `a shaft driven by the motor mounted forrotation on said frame,`a pair of clutches associated with saidv shaft, each coin-` prisingfa first member driven directly by said shaft anda second member rotatable about said shaft and adapted to be driven by said first member, means driven by the second member of one clutch for propelling the mower, and means in- .cludi'ng an oscillatable member driven directly by the second member of the other clutch for re ciprocating the sickle cutter.

l 3. In a motor operated mower having a reciprocable sickle cutter, the combination including, a frame, a shaft mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis on said frame and rotatable by said motor, a pair of clutches associated with said shaft, said clutches being spaced apart axially of said shaft, means adapted to be driven through one of said clutches for propelling the mower, a second shaft mounted for oscillation about a horizontal axis located below the first mentioned shaft, a pitman secured to said second shaft, means adapted to be rotatedthrough said other clutchfor oscillating said pitman, and means operatively connecting said pitman to the reciprocable -cutter. i 4

hina motor operated mower having a reciprocable sickle cutter, the combination including, a frame,a shaft mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis on said frameand rotatable by said meten-a pair of clutches associated with tion including, a frame, a shaft driven by the motor mounted for rotation on said frame, a pair of clutches associated with said shaft, each comprising a first member driven directly by said shaft and a second member rotatable about said shaft and adapted to be driven by said first said shaft, said clutches being spaced apart axie ally of and located intermediate the ends of said shaft, a transnussion and drive shaft located below and to the rear of the rearmost clutch, means adapted to be driven -through said rearmost clutch for driving said drive shaft to propel the mower,` a second shaft mounted for oscillation about a horizontal axis located below the first mentioned shaft and in front of the other of said clutches, a pitman secured to said second shaft, means adapted to be rotated through said other clutch for oscillating said pitman, and means operatively connecting said pitman to the reciprocablef cutter.

l5.'In a motor operated mower having a reciprocable sickle cutter, the combination including, a frame, a shaft mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis on said frame and rotatable by said motor, a pair of disc clutches associated with said shaft, said clutches being spaced apart axially of said shaft, means adapted to be driven through the rearmost one of said clutches for propelling the mower, a second shaft ymounted for oscillation about a horizontal axis located below the first mentioned shaft and in front of the other of said clutches, a `pitman secured to said second shaft, means including a cam journaled on said first mentioned shaft and rotatable through said other clutch by a tubular member surrounding said first shaft and connected to said clutch for oscillating said pitman, and means operatively connecting said pitman to the reciprocable cutter.

6.1In a motor operated mower having a reciprocable sickle cutter, the combination including, a frame, a shaft mounted for rotation about a` horizontal axis on said frame and rotatable by said motor, a pair of disc clutches associated with said shaft, said clutches being spaced apart axially of said shaft, means adapted to be driven through the rearmost one of said clutches for propelling the mower, a second shaft mounted for., oscillation about a horizontall axis located belowthe -rst mentioned shaft and in front of the other of said clutches, a pitman securedto said second shaft, said pitman having a pairof bifurcated arms extending above said rst mentionedgshaft, means including Ya cam journaled on vsaid first mentioned shaft between the v,arms f said pitmany and rotatable through said other clutch b y-a tubular lmember surrounding said first shaft and connected to said clutch for oscillatg ing said pitman, and means operativelyoconnecting said pitman to the reciprocable cutter.

'7. In a motor operatedmower having a reciprocable sickle cutter, the combination including', a frame comprisinga pair of spaced apart longitudinal members and a pairof spaced apart crosspieces, a shaft mounted forrotation about a horizontal axis on said crosspieces and rotatable by said motor, a pair of disc clutches associated with said shaft, said clutches being spaced apart axially of said shaft and located between said fc-rosspieces, means adapted toY` be -driven vvthrough the rearmost one of said clutches for propelling the mower, a third crosspiece located between said pair of crosspieces and near the crosspiece nearest the front of the mower, a second 4 Shaft mounted for oscillation about a horizontal axis on said third crosspiece and theY crosspiece nearest the front ofthe mowensaid second shaft being below the rst mentioned shaft and infront of the other of said clutches,ya pitman secured tosaid second shaft, means including a cam journaled on said rst mentioned shaftV and rotatable through said other clutch by a tubular member surrounding said first shaft and conrnested to said clutch for oscillating said pitman, andmeans operatively connecting said pitman to lthereciprocable cutter. f Y

A mower according to claim 7, wherein the first shaft' is positioned in substantially U-shaped slots cut in the upper edgesvof the pair of cross- -pieces and the second shaft is positioned in similar slots cut in the lower edges of the third and front crosspieces, Vwhereby said shafts may be readily positioned in saidrcrosspieces.

` 9.,Amower according to claim 7, wherein the shafts are secured to said crosspieces bybearings supported on plates fastenedto said Vcrosspieces.

l0. In apparatus of the class described, a frame for supporting a pair of shafts, including in combination, a pair of spaced apartV substantially horizontally disposed longitudinal members, a pair of crosspieces interconnecting said members, one of said crosspieces being locatedy near the middle of said members and the other at the front thereof, and a thirdcrosspiece. intermediate said pair of crosspieces and located nearer the front crosspiece, said pair of crosspieces having substantially` U-shaped vertically .disposed slots on their upper Aedges toy receive one of said shafts, and saidthird and front ,crcsspieces having similar slots on their 1lower edges to receive theV other of said shafts.

l1. In a motor operated mower having a reciprocable sickle cutter, the combinationincluding, a frame, a shaft mounted on said frame and rotatable by said motor, a pair of ,clutches4 associated with said shaft said clutches'being spaced apart axially of and located intermediate the Vends of said shaft, a transmission and drive'shaft, means adapted to be driven through one .of said clutches for driving said drive shaft to VpIOPl vsaid mower, a second shaftmountedfor oscillation about its longitudinal axis, `a pitrnanse-` cured to said second shaft,`means adapted-to be :rotatedwthrough the second clutchfor oscillating said pitman, and meansv yoperatively ,conf nesting said pitman to the reciprocable cutter.

1.2. In a, motor operated mower having a reciprocable sickle cutter, the combination including, a frame, a shaftmounted on said frame and rotatable by said motor, a pair of disc clutches associated with saidshaft, said clutches being spaced apart axially of said shaft, means adapted to be driven through one of said clutches for propelling the mower, a second shaft mounted for oscillation about its longitudinal axis, a pit'- man secured to said second shaft, means including a cam journaled on said first mentioned shaft 'androtatable through said secondclutch bya tubular member surrounding said first shaft and connected lto saidr second clutch for oscillating saidpitman, and means operatively connecting said pitman to the reciprocable cutter.

13. In a motor operated reciprocable sickle type mower having a motor driven shaft with a pair of clutches mountedr thereon, means for reciprocating said sickle comprising a second shaft mounted for oscillation about a horizontal axis' located below the first mentioned shaft, a pitman secured` to said second shaft,' means adapted to lbe rotated through one of said clutches for oscillating said pitman, and means opera,- tivelyconnecting saidpitman to the reciprocable sickle. I

. 14. In a motor operatedreciprocable sickle cutter type mower having a motor driven shaft with al pair of clutches mounted thereon, means for reciprocating said cutter comprising a second shaftmolinted foroscillation about a horizontal axis located below the rst mentioned shaft, a pitman secured to said second shaft, a cam journaled on said first mentioned shaft, a tubular member surrounding said rst shaft, said tubular member having its oppositev ends secured to said cam and to the driven member of one of said 'clutches whereby said cam is rotated and oscillates said pitman when said clutch is engaged, and means operatively connecting said pitman to said reciprocable cutter.

l5. In a motor operatedreciprocable sickle cutter type mower having a motor driven shaft with a pair of clutches mountedthereon, means for reciprocating said, `cutter comprising a second shaft mounted for oscillation about a horizontal axis located below the rst mentioned shaft, a pitinan` secured t0 said second shaft, said -pitman having a pair of arms extending above said rst mentioned shaft,'a cam journaled on said l,first mentioned shaft between the arms of said pitman, a tubularI member surroundingsaid first mentioned shaft, said tubular member having its opposite ends secured to said cam and to the driven member of one of said clutches whereby said cam islrotated and oscillates said pitman when said'clutch is engaged, and means operatively connecting said pitman to the reciprocable cutter. A, STANLEY W. HAYES. p 

